This address is presented by IUPAC President Prof.
Pieter Steyn at the 42nd IUPAC Council Meeting on 16-17 Aug 2003
in Ottawa, Canada.
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Read the President's
Column
published in Chem. Int. Nov 2003
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) was
formed in 1919 by chemists from industry and academia. Over eight
decades, the Union has succeeded in fostering worldwide communications
in the chemical sciences and in uniting chemistry academic, industrial,
and governmental in a common language. IUPAC is recognized
as the world authority on chemical nomenclature, terminology, standardized
measurement methods, atomic weights, and other critically evaluated
data. The Union sponsors major international meetings ranging from
specialized scientific symposia to meetings with societal impact.
The year 2002 was a period of assessment of the changes initiated
and implemented in 2000 and 2001. The changes in the IUPAC system
allow the Union to be responsive to the current needs of chemistry.
The scientific work of IUPAC is now focused on the ever changing needs
of the global chemical community. The new project approval system
continues to be effective, and there is increasing focus on chemistry
and its impact on society, as well as on chemistry education. The
Divisions now have an active role in project recruitment, assessment,
approval, and implementation. The IUPAC website is a source of information
for IUPAC activities, and is regularly updated with the most recent
news and events.
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PDF file of the President's Report (86 KB)>
Content
1. INTRODUCTION
2. MANAGEMENT ACTIONS TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF IUPAC
a) Development of a New Vision and Mission Statement,
as well as Long-Range Goals for IUPAC
b) Improvement of the Governance Structure of IUPAC
c) Development of Policies by the Finance Committee
d) Billing of National Subscriptions in National Currencies
3. LONG-RANGE GOALS
i) IUPAC will provide leadership as a worldwide scientific organization
that objectively addresses global issues involving the chemical sciences.
a) Advice to the OPCW on the impact of scientific
advances on the CWC
b) Environmental Activities in conjunction with ICSU
ii) IUPAC will facilitate the advancement of research in the chemical
sciences through the tools it provides for international standardization
and scientific discussion.
a) The naming of elements: name and symbol of element 110
b) The Management of IUPAC Projects
iii) IUPAC will assist chemistry-related industry in its contribution
to sustainable development, wealth creation, and improvement in the
quality of life.
iv) IUPAC will foster communication among individual chemists
and scientific organizations, with special emphasis on the needs of
chemists in developing countries.
a) IUPAC Conferences
b) The IUPAC Sponsorship of Conferences and Symposia
c) Publications of IUPAC
d) IUPAC's Electronic Communication
v) IUPAC will utilize its global perspective and network to contribute
to the enhancement of chemistry education, the career development
of young chemical scientists, and the public appreciation of chemistry.
a) Committee on Chemistry Education
b) Young Scientists Program
c) IUPAC Young Observers Program
d) The Award of the IUPAC Prize for Young Chemists
vi) IUPAC will broaden its national membership base and will seek
the maximum feasible diversity in IUPAC bodies with regard to geography,
gender, and age.
4. CONCLUSION
a) Highlights of the current biennium
b) Challenges
c) Acknowledgements